Fast-paced television shows filled withplot twists, drama, and thrills can keep audiences on their toes. Well-executed TV shows can create shocking plot holes that are believable and fulfilling.Incredibly fast-paced TV showshave to balance the act of complex storytelling, enriching characterizations, and maintaining an exciting pace while also creating a solid groundwork for the show’s future plot.
Audiences in the mood foramazing TV shows filled with shocking plot twistsand drama can rely on fast-paced TV shows to keep them on the edge of their seats.Impeccably executed plot twists and cliffhangers can elevate a show’s storytellingand keep audiences invested in it. Fast-paced TV shows keep viewers guessing and engaged with the show. From action-filled thrillers to tense murder mysteries, there is no shortage of fast-paced TV shows filled with plot twists to binge-watch.
American Vandal
Cast
American Vandal is a satirical true crime series created by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda. Released in 2017, the show follows aspiring documentarian Peter Maldonado as he investigates a high school prank involving obscene graffiti. The series humorously deconstructs the genre’s conventions while exploring themes of adolescence and social dynamics within a high school setting.
The mockumentary TV showAmerican Vandalfollows high school sophomores Peter Maldonado (Tyler Alvarez) and Sam Ecklund (Griffin Gluck) after they create a true-crime documentary to solve the case of who drew phallic images on faculty cars at Hanover High School. After class clown Dylan Maxwell (Jimmy Tatro), the primary suspect, is expelled despite his adamant denial, Peter and Sam begin an investigation into the prank to exonerate Dylan.American Vandalseason 2follows Peter and Sam as they undertake their second mystery after another high school’s cafeteria lemonade is spiked with laxatives.
Why Netflix Cancelled American Vandal Season 3
Mockumentary series American Vandal was a hit with audiences and critics alike, so why did Netflix cancel the show before a third season could happen?
American Vandalwas surprisingly thrilling and fast-paced, despite being a satiricalTV show that blended comedy and drama. EachAmerican Vandalepisode covered a different aspect of the case and was filled with deception and plot twists.American Vandalhad eight episodes per season, ensuring thateach mystery was wrapped up in a short season and had a satisfying conclusion.
The Afterparty
The Afterparty is a murder-mystery comedy series created for Apple TV+. The show structure focuses on several different characters that all attend an afterparty event with a murder central to the story. A detective interrogates the partygoers to reveal the culprit in each episode, with each person’s accounts of the night given unique directorial flourishes that show inconsistencies in the overall case.
The Afterpartyis a comedy murder mystery TV show in whicheach episode is viewed and experienced through the perspective of a different character. Each episode ofThe Afterpartyutilized a different genre to portray the perspective of each character/murder suspect. Despite each episode ofThe Afterpartybeing a retelling of the events before the murder, the small discrepancies in the stories, new information being revealed, and the plot twists madeThe Afterpartya thrilling show to watch.The Afterparty’sstrong charactersand interesting plotline ensured the whodunit mystery was compelling.
The Afterpartyseason 1 took place after a high school reunion after-party that went awry after pop and movie star Xavier (Dave Franco) was killed at his own party.The mystery inThe Afterpartyseason 1has an unforgettable and shocking yet satisfying conclusion. The clues about the unexpected plot twists were subtly and carefully placed throughout the series, ensuring that the plot twists weren’t added for cheap shock value and felt earned.
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
The superhero drama showThe Umbrella Academyfollows the dysfunctional Hargreeves family who reunite after their father’s sudden death. Their grieving is interrupted when they learn that there’s an impending apocalypse that will destroy the world and kill everyone on Earth. The six living Hargreeves siblings, and the ghost of Ben (Justin H. Min) face their own personal demons and stumble through Five’s (Aidan Gallagher) never-ending mission tostop the world-ending apocalypse.
The Umbrella Academy took the time to focus on character development just as much as the big action set pieces that we had come to expect. - Screen Rant
The subsequentThe Umbrella Academyseasons follow the Hargreeves siblings as they travel through time and create alternative timelines, get into superhero hijinks, and stop world-ending events. WithThe Umbrella Academyfeaturing a large ensemble cast and interesting supporting characters, thesuperhero show is a fast-paced thriller that excels at building up character growththroughout the seasons. In addition,The Umbrella Academyis filled with fast-paced fight scenes filled with incredible VFX to showcase theHargreeves family’s powers and abilities.
Bodyguard
Bodyguard tells the fictional story of David Budd, a heroic but volatile war veteran now working as a Specialist Protection Officer for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
Bodyguardis a critically acclaimedBritish police procedural TV showand political thriller following Police Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden), a war veteran who works for the London Metropolitan Police under the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch.Tensions arise after Budd is assigned to protect Home Secretary Julia Montague(Keeley Hawes), a person whose politics he detests.
Bodyguard Review: Richard Madden Is Terrific In This Taut Conspiracy Thriller
Richard Madden stars in Bodyguard, a superb, fast-paced political thriller that puts the former King in the North in modern day conspiracy.
Bodyguardexpertly builds tension as Budd and Montague’s opposing views and beliefs cause Budd conflict over his allegiance. Budd’s traumatic experiences as a war veteran paints his mindset and views throughout the series and informs his decision. Theaction-filled TV showBodyguardis a fast-paced six-episode thriller that uncovers a conspiracy.Bodyguardis filled with plot twists that keep audiences guessing asBudd struggles with his past, his loyalties, his duty to protect Montague, and unraveling a political conspiracy.
Bad Sisters
Bad Sisters is an Apple TV+ exclusive series based on the Flemish TV original Clan. The Garvey sisters are a group of five blood-related siblings bonded closely after the untimely death of their parents. Tragedy strikes once again when the husband of Grace Williams (Anne-Marie Duff) dies. The other four sisters, however, haven’t hidden their disapproval of Grace’s husband, John Paul Williams, due to his poor treatment of her on an abusive level. His life insurer notes this and launches an investigation into John’s death. Bad Sisters will take viewers back and forth into the past and present as they unveil the truth about what happened around John’s death.
The Irish black comedy showBad Sistersfollows the five Garvey sisters, Eva (Sharon Horgan), Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson) after the death of Grace’s husband, John Paul (Claes Bang).Bad Sistersjumps between timelines, one before John Paul’s death, as the sisters plot to murder the abusive and controlling husband; the other after his death, asinsurance agents try to prove that they had a hand in it. The fast-paced mystery showBad Sistershas likable protagonistsyou can root for, and strong antagonists that drive the story forward.
The dark comedyBad Sisterswas able to have unpredictable and unlikely plot twists that didn’t feel out of place. The plot twists inBad Sistersadd to the comedy in the dark show. Despite knowing that the sisters were plotting to murder John Paul, each episode was filled with tension and plot twists as the audience don’t know how John Paul met his end.
The numerous failed murder attempts didn’t just add comedic value toBad Sisters, they also haddevastating consequences for the sisters and their loved ones.Bad Sistersseason 2will be releasing on July 29, 2025, on AppleTV+.
Banshee
Banshee is an action television series that aired in 2013 and centers around Anthony Starr as an ex-con who takes on the identity of a murdered sheriff Lucas Hood to hide away from pursuers. Set in Banshee, Lucas assumes the stolen identity while falling back into his old criminal ways, struggling to balance the two properly.
Bansheeis an action thriller TV show starringAntony Starr, best known for his role as Homelander inThe Boys, as a mysterious ex-con who assumes the identity of the murdered sheriff Lucas Hood. Hood is on the run and hiding from the powerful criminal known as Rabbit (Ben Cross) after stealing $15 million dollars worth of diamonds.Bansheefollows Hood’s struggle to fit into his new role as the sheriff while still living a life of crime and violence.
With its unique premise and compelling characters,Bansheeis a crime show filled with action, drama, thrills, betrayal, and plot twists. Each episode ofBansheefeatures gritty action and enthralling combat that altered the course of Hood’s journey and had major consequences for his plans and relationships with others.Banshee’sshort seasons ensured that each season was a fast-paced adventure filled with action.
Homeland
Homeland is a suspenseful drama series centered on CIA officer Carrie Mathison, portrayed as a top agent despite her bipolar disorder. Released on July 13, 2025, the series follows her as she navigates the complexities of intelligence work with the guidance of her mentor, Saul Berenson.
Homelandis a critically acclaimedespionage thrillerseries following Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA agent suspicious of Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a prisoner of war who was recently rescued. Carrie is dealing with hiding that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder from the CIA, her probation and reassignment by the CIA, andher suspicions that Brody is planning a terrorist attack.
Homeland: 10 Things You Forgot From The First Episode
Homeland went through a lot of changes over its run. So much was different by the end, that fans probably forgot key things from the first episode.
While the eight-season show lost momentum in the later seasons, the early seasons,Homelandseason 1 in particular, is a fast-paced spy drama and thriller. Carrie’s dedication to proving that Brody was planning a terrorist attack, andher isolation as the only person suspicious of the war hero Brody, excluding her mentor Saul (Mandy Patinkin) made her a compelling lead. The spy thrillerHomelandis filled with mis-directions and plot twists as conspiracies are unraveled and exposed and alliances are made and betrayed.
Orphan Black
Orphan Black follows a streetwise hustler who becomes entangled in a complex conspiracy after witnessing the suicide of a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to her. As she assumes the deceased’s identity, she uncovers a secret that places her life in jeopardy.
The science-fiction thrillerOrphan Blackrevolves around Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany), a con artist who witnesses the suicide of a woman who eerily looks exactly like her. After Sarah assumes the woman’s identity, she discovers that she is one of many genetically identical clones, and thatsomeone is hunting her down to kill her and the other clones.
Orphan Blackmanages to effectively balance the science-fiction and mystery elements with lighthearted comedy and passionate romances that add moments of levity and joy to the thriller. As different groups hunt down Sarah and the clones for nefarious purposes,Orphan Blackbuilds tension throughout the seasons andcohesively weaves intricate threads of plot together. The well-planned and well-executed writing made theOrphan Blackseries finalea satisfying conclusion to the show.
Orphan Blackreturned in a sequel titledOrphan Black: Echoesfollowing Sarah Mannings daughter Kira, 37 years after the events of the series finale.Orphan Black: Echoesfocuses on Kira and her wife as they try to help a woman with amnesia.
Tatiana Maslany portrayed 17 clones inOrphan Black, and her acting prowess ensured that each clone felt different in their behavior, speech, and characteristics. Maslany’s acting skills were essential for making the science-fiction plot feel believable and for making the interactions between the clones feel real and distinct.
2Why Women Kill
Anthology Series Following Women Who Turn To Murder
The dark comedy anthology TV showWhy Women Killfollows different women in different decades who deal with issues of infidelity and betrayal by their husbands, anddecide that murder is the best course of action.Why Women Killseason 1 focuses on three storylines of three women from different eras residing in the same mansion, whileWhy Women Killseason 2 focuses on only one storyline.
Despite the differences between the seasons,Why Women Killstayed true to its heart andremains a thrilling woman-centric story filled with murder, betrayal, and twists and turns. While the titleWhy Women Killmakes it clear that the main characters will attempt to kill their husbands, the thrilling part of the show is learning why the women resorted to murder and violence, and what pushed them to take the step. Unfortunately,Why Women Killleaves unanswered questionsfor fans, as it was canceled after season 2.
24
24 follows CTU (Counter-Terrorism Unit) agent Jack Bauer as he contends with various threats to national and international security by any means necessary. With each season comprised of 24 episodes telling Bauer’s story in real-time, 24 brings the action to life one day at a time. Racing against the clock, Bauer is forced to make impossible decisions in the name of public service, bending his personal morals to get the job done.
Theaction drama TV show24focuses on the counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) as the highly proficient agent puts his morals on the line to save lives.24utilizes the real time method of narration, with each season being 24 episodes to represent the 24 hours in a day.
The unique usage of split screens to showcase the events going on simultaneously made the drama show exciting and refreshing.
The real time drama24made the already tense situation even more electrifying by turning each episode into an hour into Jack Bauer’s action-heavy life.24displays clocks on-screen during points of the show, puttingemphasis on the time constraints and increasing narrative tension. The unique usage of split screens to showcase the events going on simultaneously made the drama show exciting and refreshing.
24notoriously relied heavily on cliffhangers and plot twists that kept each episode engaging and built up to the season finale. Each season was a depiction of an action-packed and stressful day in the life of Jack Bauer.Jack Bauer often worked with alliesand ignored his moral compass to prevent terrorist attacks, highlighting his complex characterization and making him an incredibly sophisticated hero.
